Where To Find The Best Coffee In Canberra

Whether you’re after the perfect piccolo or cold brew, we’ve found the best coffee in Canberra.

Wondering where to find the best coffee in Canberra? The decision depends on your preferences and palate. There are so many talented baristas in the nation’s capital that it’s difficult to narrow down who’s the best at pulling shots. But the good news is it means you can find a great brew no matter which neighbourhood you stay in when visiting Canberra.

The city known for its vibrant restaurants and cosy cafes is also peppered with a plethora of purveyors of specialty coffee. Here are 20 places that serve the best coffee in Canberra.

1. Arc

Caff-fiends who have been downright villainous about keeping this place a secret can complete their redemption arc by deploying the #bestcoffeeinCanberra hashtag.

For starters, Arc , part of Redbrick Coffee, is popular due to its proximity to Canberra’s CBD at the A by Adina Hotel. Arc also does a fine breakfast.

a cup of coffee at Arc, Canberra — Arc is where specialty brews and refined flavours meet.

On the coffee front, beans are by Redbrick (of course), and you can pick up bags to take away, too. This cafe is hugely popular with office workers so best to arrive before 9am to avoid rush hour.

the cafe interior of Arc, Canberra — The interior design blends modern aesthetics with warmth.

Address: 1 Constitution Ave

2. Recess Coffee

Recess Coffee is brought to you by the talented team behind the acclaimed cafe Barrio Collective and the hatted restaurant Terra. Join the steady trickle of caffeine-starved locals and travellers queuing at the café, which doubles as a vinyl bar, for their morning espresso.

coffee packs on display at Recess Coffee, Canberra — Recess Coffee creates its own roasted blends.

It’s one of the best cafes to try in Canberra for coffee as it roasts its own beans. There is also a range of delectable all-day dining options including avo on sourdough and eggs benedict with saffron hollandaise, pancakes with maple butter and B&E brekkie muffins.

pouring a syrup over pancakes at Recess Coffee, Canberra — Pair your coffee with sweet pancakes.

Address: 6B Barker St, Griffith

3. Intra

Intra is in the business of perfecting coffee. And if we could, we’d enjoy it Intra-venously. The cosy cafe in leafy Campbell is one of the best places for coffee in Canberra due to the quality beans it sources from Barrio Collective .

the cafe exterior of Intra, Canberra — The cafe is designed with a sleek, minimalist aesthetic. (Image: VisitCanberra)

The blends change seasonally depending on which beans are best. The specialty coffee and food venue also stocks single-origin coffee from Edition Coffee Roasters in Sydney.

a hand holding a breakfast bowl at Intra, Canberra — Intra serves up generous breakfast bowls. (Image: VisitCanberra)

Its breakfast menu is short and sweet, and includes the chashu bacon and egg roll, which has a cult following. Check out Intra’s buzzy Braddon venue, B-Side .

a hand holding a cup of latte at Intra, Canberra — They serve expertly crafted specialty coffee sourced from Barrio Collective and Edition Coffee Roasters. (Image: VisitCanberra)

Address: 30/12 Provan St, Campbell

4. Lava

There are three iterations of Lava across Canberra – in Kingston, Weston and Phillip. And the driving principle behind this trifecta of popular places is for highly trained baristas to brew coffees with specially selected top-quality beans.

the cafe interior of Lava, Canberra — This industrial-chic interior.

A hot tip: check out @Lava_Coffee on Instagram so you can find out more about your friendly baristas. Oh and do check the specials board for brekkie staples such as BLATs and avo on toast.

Address: Various in Kingston, Weston and Phillip

5. Barrio Collective

The Barrio Collective acts as a bit of an incubator for a lot of Canberra’s top baristas. And while you’ll find some of the best cafes and coffee spots in Canberra use Barrio Collective’s beans, it’s compulsory to head to the OG cafe to access all their offerings. The space has ample outdoor seating and is dog-friendly.

If you’re hungry, it’s worth trying its stacked toasties. Sip your chosen brew alongside a piece of toast spread with ‘mushymite’, a fermented mushroom product with a similar taste to Australia’s favourite spread.

al fresco dining at Barrio Collective, Canberra — There’s ample seating outside for those wanting to dine al fresco. (Image: VisitCanberra)

Address: 59/30 Lonsdale St, Braddon

6. ONA Coffee House

You’ll find ONA Coffee beans in cafes across Australia. The company was founded in a garage in 2008 by ex-Olympic handball player and world champion barista Saša Šestić. Fast forward to today and the brand is now known around the world for its premium blends.

a latte art at ONA Coffee House, Canberra — ONA Coffee House in Fyshwick is renowned for its expertly crafted specialty coffees. (Image: VisitCanberra)

Visiting ONA Coffee House in Fyshwick is the ideal way to explore its entire signature range of house blends and single-origin coffees. Enjoy a latte with breakfast on the deck, then take home some specialty beans for your espresso machine.

a plate of food at ONA Coffee House Fyshwick — ONA Coffee House offers brunch plates packed with local produce. (Image: VisitCanberra)

Address: 68 Wollongong St, Fyshwick

7. The Cupping Room

One of ONA Coffee’s first forays into Canberra’s cafe culture was with The Cupping Room . And the eatery remains one of the best places in Canberra to get coffee and one of the most stylish.

a look inside The Cupping Room, Canberra — The Cupping Room is one of the most stylish spots to grab a coffee. (Image: VisitCanberra)

Flick to page 236 of Lonely Planet’s Global Coffee Tour and you’ll find an entry on The Cupping Room.

the cafe exterior of The Cupping Room, Canberra — Step into this artsy cafe for brekkie. (Image: VisitCanberra)

The baristas treat coffee like an art form here and you’ll find ONA Coffee’s great roasts, plus an extensive and Instagram-worthy array of brunch dishes like Bircher muesli with apple-ginger gel, chorizo skillet and stracciatella toast.

making latte art at The Cupping Room, Canberra — Every cup is a work of art. (Image: VisitCanberra)

Address: 1/1-13 University Ave, Canberra

8. Highroad

As Canberra’s biggest roastery, ONA Coffee has its hand in many of Canberra’s best cafes for getting a morning fix of coffee. Highroad was the first ONA outlet and it remains one of the most popular in Canberra’s northern suburb of Dickson. The focus at the industrial-chic cafe is on community. If your schedule is looking leisurely take the time to order brunch after admiring your latte art. The modern, airy space is designed to make you linger and one of the best places in Canberra for breakfast and brunch.

Address: Cnr Cape & Woolley St, Dickson

9. Gather

Have a gatho at Gather if you’re staying in Braddon. In addition to serving what many consider to be the best coffee in Canberra, the cafe should be your go-to for its sustainable approach to sourcing produce from local suppliers across the ACT and NSW.

a close-up of food at Gather cafe, Canberra — Gather is celebrated for its healthy, locally sourced food. (Image: Pew Pew Studio)

Free-range eggs are from Hilltop in Boorowa. Milk is from Country Valley in Picton. And Gather’s house blend of Ethiopian, Brazilian and Colombian beans is roasted in Braddon. The cafe also has breakfast classics like smashed avo and corn fritters.

Address: 4/24 Mort St, Braddon

10. Ritual

There’s a coffee order for every coffee geek at Ritual on the ground floor of the classy Little National Hotel in Barton. The No. 1 attraction at the hip inner-city café in the Realm Precinct is the coffee. But don’t forget to order a few pastries, too, which pair perfectly with a rich, aromatic latte. Ritual is also considered one of the best cafes in Canberra for its toasted sangas and various iterations of smashed avo on toast. The baristas make the habitual observance of a morning brew an enjoyable daily ritual.

Address: 21 National Circuit, Barton

11. Two Before Ten

Two Before Ten cafes have sprouted all over the nation’s capital, from Barton to Brindabella, Majura to Murrumbatemen.

pouring milk over a pastry at Two Before Ten cafe, Canberra — Order scrumptious morning treats to pair with your coffee. (Image: VisitCanberra)

Known for its excellent tree-to-cup coffee and commitment to sustainability, Two Before Ten is as much about building community as it is about serving great coffee.

the Two Before Ten cafe signage in Canberra — Two Before Ten is arguably one of the coolest coffee spots in Canberra. (Image: VisitCanberra)

Visit the Aranda cafe to get an understanding of the brand: this bustling community cafe also includes a roastery, a yoga studio and an expansive urban farm with fruit trees and beehives.

a hand holding a cup of coffee — This hotspot is a cornerstone of Canberra’s cafe culture. (Image: VisitCanberra)

Address: 68 Bandjalong Cres, Aranda

12. The Front Café and Gallery

The Front is another offshoot of Two Before Ten. It’s both a café and gallery that supports Canberra creatives with a roster of exhibitions held throughout the calendar year.

potted plants outside The Front Café and Gallery, Canberra — The Front Café and Gallery is an inviting space for both dining and enjoying art. (Image: Ben Calvert)

The Two by Ten spin-off is also worthy of our support for its dedication to supporting suppliers that are environmentally and socially sustainable.

a cup of coffee at The Front Café and Gallery, Canberra — Enjoy expertly brewed coffee from Two Before Ten. (Image: Ben Calvert)

In addition to excellent espressos, expect sweet concoctions such as cinnamon French toast with seasonal fruits, strawberry mascarpone cream and pistachio crumb.

a table-top view of food plates at The Front Café and Gallery, Canberra — This cafe and gallery boasts a mouth-watering brunch menu.

Address: 1 Wattle Place, Lyneham

13. Little Oink

Swinophobes should avoid Little Oink at all costs. The cute and quirky cafe is all about little piggies with a collection of pig figurines and an enduring oink theme throughout. Owner Natalie has a penchant for all things pig-related which extends to menu items such as the Wild Boar with bacon, chorizo, mushrooms and spinach on sourdough.

salmon toast at Little Oink, Canberra — Toasted sourdough, spinach, smoked salmon, poached eggs, Persian feta, herbs, and hollandaise.

You can also get your snout into an Oinko Burger with eggs, bacon, avo, relish and cheese. The Cook-based business uses Two Before Ten to serve some of the best coffee in Canberra.

Address: 22 Cook Place

14. Urban Pantry

Urban Pantry is a mainstay in Manuka (pronounced Marnika, not Manooka). The hip, happening Canberra neighbourhood has no shortage of wonderful places to eat and drink.

the cafe exterior of Urban Pantry, Canberra — Urban Pantry is a stalwart of the Canberra coffee scene. (Image: Urban Pantry)

But the lively, light-filled venue in the heart of the leafy landmark Manuka Lawns is one of our absolute favourite cafes in Canberra for its culture.

Start with buttermilk pancakes or mushroom bruschetta in the cafe’s white and bright interior overlooking the sun-splashed park. Then linger on the Lawns with a rich and flavourful coffee.

a glass of coffee at Urban Pantry, Canberra — Enjoy high-quality coffee sourced from local roasters. (Image: VisitCanberra)

Address: 5 Bougainville St, Griffith

15. Rye

Lonsdale Street is one of Canberra’s epicentres for creativity and emblematic of life in buzzy Braddon. The Scandi-styled Rye cafe favours Five Senses Coffee which the baristas brew into consistently good coffees. Order the smørrebrød, a Danish open sandwich served on seeded dark rye bread with a side salad and a beetroot latte. The action at Rye spills outside so order an iced coffee to go so you can join the crowds promenading on the pavement.

Address: 3/9 Lonsdale St, Braddon

16. Teddy Picker’s

First things first. Teddy Picker’s is known for being one of the best places for coffee in Canberra. But you’ll find locals throwing spicy chai lattes and Teddy’s hot chocs down their gullets too because they’re simply dreamy.

This contemporary Campbell cafe on Constitution Avenue draws a diverse clientele of fitness types looking to refuel after hiking up Mt Ainslie. Pair your coffee with culinary offerings such as eggs on toast with chilli jam and Teddy’s fab French toast.

eggs benedict at Teddy Picker’s, Canberra — Tuck into their all-day breakfast.

Address: 53/65 Constitution Avenue, Campbell

17. Mocan & Green Grout

This sunny corner cafe in NewActon is hugely popular with guests staying in nearby hotels such as the quirky QT Canberra. The cosy open-all-day cafe looks like it’s been fitted out by an eccentric collector.

the cafe exterior of Mocan & Green Grout — Potted plants and fresh herbs are grown at the entrance. (Image: VisitCanberra)

And that rustic charm is part of its appeal. Think wooden shelving, brass-topped tables, jars of house-made pickles and flower-filled vases.

a close-up of food at Mocan & Green Grout — Consume healthy plates at Mocan & Green Grout. (Image: VisitCanberra)

The name Mocan means ‘strong and reliable’ in a dialect spoken in Trieste, where one of the owners’ family is from and you’ll find the green grout between the beautiful hand-painted tiles in one section. It’s a super-cool environment to enjoy a house coffee blend or pot of Real Chai.

Address: 1/19 Marcus Clarke St, NewActon

18. Café Sosta

You’ll find a lot of locals wearing soft, stretchy clothing at Café Sosta as they’ve either walked or ridden here. The Italian-inspired riverfront cafe is at the Red Shed rowing facility on Black Mountain Peninsula.

garnishing a plate at Café Sosta in Canberra — Feast on savoury breakfast plates at Café Sosta. (Image: Adam McGrath)

Sosta means ‘stopover’ in Italian which is what its location calls for. The venture is led by Bisa Hospitality, the group behind Joe’s Bar, Agostinis and Occasioni by Agostinis at the East Hotel so you’re guaranteed one of the best coffees in Canberra.

the interior of Café Sosta in Canberra — Sit down for coffee at this light-filled cafe. (Image: Adam McGrath)

Pair your perfect piccolo with breakfast risotto with poached pear or pane della casa topped with pork and fennel meatballs.

Address: John Cardiff Close, Black Mountain Peninsula

19. & Sando

It’s no surprise that restaurateur Matt Moran’s deli-style sandwich shop makes some of the best sandos in the nation’s capital. It’s also one of the best places for coffee in Canberra.

the coffee counter at &Sando, Canberra — The space is designed for takeaways. (Image: Buffet Digital / &Sando)

Those in search of the perfect flavour-layered sando will find it here at & Sando, an offshoot of Moran’s Compa Ristorante next door.

sandwich and coffee at &Sando, Canberra — The cafe staff makes droolworthy sandwiches. (Image: Buffet Digital / &Sando)

Expect your coffee and every element of your sandwich to be put together with care. You’ll need two hands to enjoy the ‘spicy deli’ combo of cold cuts, tomato, pickled carrot and provolone on sourdough. & Sando is not for you keto freaks. Coffee is by Sydney’s Single O.

a close-up of a sandwich at &Sando, Canberra — Every sandwich is made with fresh ingredients. (Image: Buffet Digital / &Sando)

Address: 148 Bunda St

20. Three Mills Bakery

Is there anything better than the aroma of fresh-baked croissants? Three Mills Bakery is one of the best purveyors of specialty coffee in Canberra. But the casual spot, which has outlets all over the city, also offers customers pastries to take home and bake in their home oven. It’s worth a trip to the underrated suburb of Fyshwick, where it all began, to sip on an espresso that will be one of the best cups of coffee you enjoy in Canberra. But being able to pluck out pastries from the freezer to bake in your home oven adds to the experience.

bread at Three Mills Bakery, Canberra — Three Mills Bakery whips up freshly baked goods to enjoy with your coffee. (Image: Richard Poulton / VisitCanberra)

Address: Leeton Street, Fyshwick

For more tried and tested eating out options in Canberra, read our round-up of family-friendly restaurants, or our hit list of breakfast and brunch spots in Canberra.

Video credit: Tourism Australia

From coast to mountains, hiking in Gippsland offers a stunning array of landscapes, with trails that take you deep into the region’s heritage.

I step out onto the sand and it cries out underfoot. Kweek! I take another step and there’s another little yelp. Screet! Picking up the pace, the sounds follow me like my shadow, all the way down to the water. It’s obvious how this spot got its name – Squeaky Beach – from the rounded grains of quartz that make the distinctive sounds under pressure.

For many, Wilsons Promontory National Park is the gateway to Gippsland , and the best way to explore it is by walking its network of hiking trails, from coastal gems such as Squeaky Beach through to the bushland, among the wildlife. But it’s still just a taste of what you’ll find on foot in the region.

Venture a bit further into Gippsland and you’ll discover the lakes, the rainforest, and the alpine peaks, each changing with the season and offering summer strolls or winter walks. Just like that squeaky sand, each step along these trails has something to tell you: perhaps a story about an ancient spirit or a pioneering search for fortune.

The best coastal hikes in Gippsland

sunset at Wilsons Promontory National Park — Wilsons Promontory National Park is a sprawling wilderness with many coastal bushland trails. (Image: Mark Watson)

Wilsons Promontory National Park (or ‘The Prom’, as you’ll end up calling it) is an easy three-hour drive from Melbourne, but you might ditch the car when you arrive, with much of the park’s 50,000 hectares accessible only by foot. From the inky water of Tidal River (dyed dark purple by abundant tea trees), I like the easy walks along the coast, among lichen-laden granite boulders, to golden beaches and bays.

a couple on Mount Oberon — Panoramic views from the summit of Mount Oberon. (Image: Everyday Nicky)

The trail to the panoramic views at the summit of Mount Oberon is a bit harder, up steep timber and granite steps, but it’s a popular 6.8-kilometre return. The more remote hikes are found through the open banksia and stringybark woodland of the park’s north, or along the multi-day Southern Circuit , which ranges from about 35 to 52 kilometres, with sunrises and sunsets, kangaroos and cockatoos, and maybe even whales.

a golden sand beach at Wilsons Promontory National Park — Walk ‘The Prom’s’ golden sand beaches. (Image: Tourism Australia/Time Out Australia)

You might also see whales on the George Bass Coastal Walk , even closer to Melbourne on the western edge of Gippsland. This dramatic seven-kilometre trail along the clifftops takes in sweeping views of the wild ocean, occasionally dipping down from grassy green hills to coastal gullies and a secluded beach. It also now links into the Bass Coast Rail Trail for an extra 14 kilometres.

Over at the eastern edge of Gippsland, in Croajingolong National Park, you can wander along the lakeshores beneath koalas and around goannas (I keep my distance since one chased me here!). For those who are even more adventurous, the park is also the starting point for the 100-kilometre Wilderness Coast Walk , usually done over seven days.

the Croajingolong National Park, Gippsland — Wander along the lakeshores in Croajingolong National Park. (Image: Tourism Australia)

The best bush hikes in Gippsland

the Baw Baw National Park — The alpine heath of Baw Baw National Park. (Image: Everyday Nicky)

Deep in the Long Tunnel Extended Gold Mine at Walhalla, mining guide Richard tells me how this small town in the mountains east of Melbourne boomed when prospectors found gold here in 1862. These days, you’ll find most of the town’s treasure – its heritage – above ground, with the Walhalla Tramline Walk a wonderful way to explore it.

Just seven kilometres long, the walk takes you through decades of Gold Rush history, following the original rail trail from lush bushland to the mining sites, and through the charming village of just 20 residents with its wooden cottages and old shopfronts adorned with turn-of-the-century advertising posters. Blazing a trail where trailblazers once opened up the region, this is also the starting point for the 650-kilometre Australian Alps Walking Track.

Nearby, Baw Baw National Park has walks through gnarled snow gums and alpine heaths that show off the colourful wildflowers in summer and the pristine carpet of white in winter. Several trails are perfect for snowshoes, including a 45-minute route from St Gwinear up to vast views across the Latrobe Valley.

Further up into the mountains, the Toorongo and Amphitheatre Falls Loop Walk is an easy 2.2-kilometre path that serenades you with the sound of flowing water as you pass mossy rocks and tree ferns en route to two sets of waterfalls cascading over boulders in the remote wilderness.

The best cultural hikes in Gippsland

the Mitchell River National Park, Gippsland — Hike the Mitchell River National Park. (Image: Parks Victoria/Grace Lewis)

Across a pool in a natural sandstone amphitheatre, deep within a cave behind a waterfall, it’s said the Nargun has its lair. A fierce creature, half human and half stone, that abducts children and can’t be harmed by boomerangs or spears, the story of the Nargun has been told around the campfires of the local Gunaikurnai people for generations.

As a culturally significant place for women, hikers are asked not to go into the Den of Nargun, but a 3.4-kilometre loop walk leads you through a rainforest gully to the entrance where you can feel the powerful atmosphere here in Mitchell River National Park , along Victoria’s largest remaining wild and free-flowing waterway.

the bee-eaters at Mitchell River National Park — Bee-eaters at Mitchell River National Park. (Image: Parks Victoria/Grace Lewis)

The Den of Nargun is part of the Bataluk Cultural Trail , a series of important traditional Gunaikurnai sites through central Gippsland. Another location is Victoria’s largest cave system, Buchan Caves Reserve, with trails to important archaeological sites of human artefacts up to 18,000 years old. The FJ Wilson Interpreted Walk includes the naturally sculpted white limestone steps of the 400-metre-long Federal Cave, while the Granite Pools Walk goes among tall timber and moss-covered gullies.

the ancient rainforest of Tarra-Bulga National Park — The ancient rainforest of Tarra-Bulga National Park. (Image: Josie Withers)

Also important to the Gunaikurnai people is Tarra-Bulga National Park , known for its ancient myrtle beeches and enormous mountain ash trees. Just 40 minutes return, the Tarra Valley Rainforest Walk offers a taste of this verdant landscape, while the Grand Strzelecki Track takes you deep into the lost world of forest giants on an epic 100-kilometre trail rich with tradition.

A traveller’s checklist

Staying there

the WildernessRetreats in The Prom — Wilderness Retreats in The Prom. (Image: Christian Pearson)

Wilderness Retreats in Wilsons Promontory offers glamping-style tents with luxurious queen beds. Star Hotel is a reconstruction of a Gold Rush-era hotel from 1863 in the heart of heritage Walhalla. Caves House is a historic three-bedroom house with views over the Buchan River.

Eating there

the Carrajung Estate, Gippsland — Enjoy a post-hike lunch at Carrajung Estate. (Image: Everyday Nicky)

Kilcunda General Store serves great coffee and meals of local produce at the George Bass Coastal Walk. Alpine Trout Farm is located near Toorongo Falls in Noojee. Fish for your own lunch and barbecue it with the provided cookware.

Carrajung Estate is a short drive from Tarra-Bulga National Park. The winery’s restaurant offers a seasonal menu of regional ingredients and you can stay at The Lodge.

a seafood feast at Carrajung Estate, Gippsland — The table is set for a seafood feast at the estate.